I was talking to a friend the other day about bra shopping and told her this story. It made me laugh all over again, so I am again sharing it with you.
Spring time means for me, among other things, the annual trip to get some new bras. Usually that means picking up a few lovelies at Target and throwing them in the cart along with the dog food and toilet paper.
This year, I decided to spend a little time in the process and get a real bra. So I headed off to Victoria’s Secret. Help is what I got, as there were lots of twenty-year-old sales people milling around the store, each offering to help. One woman approached me with a special tape measure and explained to me how most American women are wearing the wrong bra size. Would I like to have my measurements taken?
Sure! I had read about this, too. It’s an epidemic; the majority of American women are trapped in the wrong bra size. This tragedy has led to the need for professional bra fitters and, at last count, 21,393,458 men who have made the joke that being a bra fitter would be the perfect job for them.
So, my helpful bra fitter got started. “There are two measurements,” she explained. “One measurement is the band size and one is the cup size. Let’s start with the band size.” She read out the number and it was spot-on. At least I had been getting that part of my size right. Phew.
We moved to the cup size where she took her trusty measure and provided the reading of: “D, no wait, Double D. No D. It’s D.”
I said “D, like in Dog?
Geez, I guess I have been wearing the wrong size.
She looked at me, shaking her head and said, “You are soooo totally not a D.” Nope. Not even close.
In her effort to save the fitting she ended with “I think it’s your sweater.”
Maybe. And, maybe I’ll skip the new bra and wear this sweater a little more often.
I like Lady Grace. The dearies that work there are awesome, and they tell you things you don't always want to hear like about how some bra accentuates your back fat...
ReplyDeleteOh yes they are called sweater puppies for a reason...
So funny! I have been thinking I need to do this. I bought a couple recently from the store I usually buy from, so didn't try them on and assumed they would fit the same. Oh no, they don't, they are sooo very uncomfortable I could scream. So now I must go on a new adventure in bra shopping. I read there is a new lingerie shop not far from my home. Do I venture in there and pay a million dollars or go back to the cheap ones only in a different size. This is not a fun adventure and I do put it off as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I'm laughing while I write. I've often wondered about professional bra fitters and how often they get it right. Apparently, not always.
ReplyDeleteLast spring I had a revelation: a savvy Manhattan friend said that a good bra was an excellent foundation blah blah blah.
ReplyDeleteFeeling a little worn down with sad mother-in-law caring (poor dear has since died)I decided to treat myself to a new bra at Intimacy (sounds rather racy if you ask me...)
Long story short, walked in, met Melba who merely LOOKED at me in my old embarrassing bra and went and picked out several excellent bras in whatever size I ACTUALLY am. So I bought TWO and my life is amazingly improved.
So now I would not go anywhere else (and haven't) maybe annual trip should be instituted?
Have a super weekend!
I think Victoria's Secret is all about 20-somethings (agewise, that is). The big old traditional department stores tend to have fitters who are more experienced and who know how different brands work for different people. I'll pay a lot for a bra that fits well and is comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI was at Victoria's Secret a few years back and looking at some pretty 32A cups for my daughter who is a tiny thing, 5'3'. Where she came from, I will never know. As I held the tiny bra up to see if it would be something my daughter would like, a teenager who worked there came up and asked me, wide-eyed at my selection, if I had ever been measured? I was 52 years old at the time. I guess she thought I had been squeezing my large self into a size 32A for 4 decades. I know I am no 32A, but who knows maybe I am in the wrong bra. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteGetting a good fitting bras is an art and a science. The fitting, yes. But the right bras for the right clothes is much more complicated.
ReplyDeleteUm, well; Bear stumbled across this on an excursion.
ReplyDeleteNot the right place for a male Bear. I'm back to hibernating.
Heh. I do not trust those bra fitters at all! But it is very strange, my own fitting went up from a B to a D over the years - my husband is most pleased.
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012 Marion!
Where can I get a sweater like that?!
ReplyDeleteOh, this was a funny post Marion...and the comments are even better! Love it...Have to say it reminded me of a post I wrote about Vicky's bra with built in nipples ("Imagine having that cold weather look all the time! It's so sexy!" - from their add) Such craziness at that place...
ReplyDeletei love a good bra story. cuz you KNOW we all have 'em!
ReplyDeletehilarious.......I belive it's all about the cup size!!
ReplyDeleteAh..cute Rob-bear! I have to say Marion that this is something no woman should ignore. At some point in her life and hopefully sooner rather than later (like me)...she should get it done right. Sweaters, t-shirts...you name it...they will look so much better. The trick is to find the right spot. I have found the old tried and true shops, the one that have been around for years, the ones that our mothers embarrassingly dragged us into in our teenage years...is the right spot. They know what they are doing..the trick is to find them. It is an a scientific calculation...for sure.
ReplyDeleteOn another matter, to stay in touch, I am following my favourite blogs via email. I noticed you do not have a widget to allow us to do so. If you are interested...here is how you do it... http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/2012/01/pretty-please.html
Best wishes...
Jeanne xx
Sorry...typed way too fast... please excuse words and letters in strange places. :)
ReplyDeleteHave I ever told you how much I love your stack of bracelets in your avatar picture?
ReplyDeleteI found you Blog, through Molly's 'a little house in the clouds', I love your writing!
ReplyDeleteThis is a post I feel compelled to respond to: The right bra will and can change your life! I was in a Saks dressing room, exiting with all the pretty bras I had hoped to wear. The career professional of fitting asked me how they fit? 'Nothing fit' I said. She asked me what size I had, and I replied 38C. She all but hog-tried me back into the dressing room and said, "You are not a 38C", after measuring, it was discovered I was a 34E!!! 'What?' I said, 'That's the 5th letter of the alphabet!' It was true, and that fitting changed my life! A great bra will set you back in the pocket, but your body and clothing will thank you!